Comments on: What’s Up Dell?? http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/ Linux News, Reviews, Tips and Rambling :) Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:21:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dan http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-940 Dan Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:55:49 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-940 I posted a new article updating the situation as it seemed a lot to put in a comment <a href="http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/dell-follow-up/" rel="nofollow">Dell Follow Up</a> I posted a new article updating the situation as it seemed a lot to put in a comment Dell Follow Up

]]> By: Dan http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-937 Dan Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:40:49 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-937 @Grant Thanks for the comment, seems you're right, I just checked and the Ubuntu m1330 is now back on the site but the Mini 12 is gone this time. I wonder what they're up to, do they just list Linux machines as they build them and have surplus in stock? Seems odd, most systems are built to order and they could just take a Vista m1330 and format it, they must have Ubuntu install images ready to go. Still seems strange to me. I'll update the post to reflect the changing situation though. Thanks very much for letting me know! :) @Grant Thanks for the comment, seems you’re right, I just checked and the Ubuntu m1330 is now back on the site but the Mini 12 is gone this time. I wonder what they’re up to, do they just list Linux machines as they build them and have surplus in stock? Seems odd, most systems are built to order and they could just take a Vista m1330 and format it, they must have Ubuntu install images ready to go. Still seems strange to me. I’ll update the post to reflect the changing situation though. Thanks very much for letting me know! :)

]]> By: Dan http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-936 Dan Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:34:28 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-936 @Ben Yes this would be great but I can't see the government changing the law around this in any way, the UK Government is so far up Microsoft's arse it's sickening. That's coming from someone who worked in the NHS and saw the Microsoft love-in first hand, yuk! I have to say though I don't expect Dell to care about me or anyone else, corporations don't do that. I won't get into political ranting but all corporations only exist to serve themselves and destroy all others at any cost, this is the magical "free market" which will supposedly fix all our ills. Not working too well at the moment is it? Most of the worlds financial systems are screwed but you never hear it reported as a failure of the free market system, the WTO, the IMF and the rest of them... I kinda did rant there anyway sorry, it's a subject best saved for another post perhaps. Thanks for the comment :) @Ben Yes this would be great but I can’t see the government changing the law around this in any way, the UK Government is so far up Microsoft’s arse it’s sickening. That’s coming from someone who worked in the NHS and saw the Microsoft love-in first hand, yuk! I have to say though I don’t expect Dell to care about me or anyone else, corporations don’t do that. I won’t get into political ranting but all corporations only exist to serve themselves and destroy all others at any cost, this is the magical “free market” which will supposedly fix all our ills. Not working too well at the moment is it? Most of the worlds financial systems are screwed but you never hear it reported as a failure of the free market system, the WTO, the IMF and the rest of them… I kinda did rant there anyway sorry, it’s a subject best saved for another post perhaps. Thanks for the comment :)

]]> By: Grant http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-935 Grant Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:50:31 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-935 Dell UK offers of Ubuntu seem to oscillate between having lots of machines with Ubuntu and very few. I got one of these XPS M1330s last year and it was on and off the website a lot whilst I was thinking about my purchase. For what it is worth Dell appear to be selling them again on their UK page... Dell UK offers of Ubuntu seem to oscillate between having lots of machines with Ubuntu and very few.

I got one of these XPS M1330s last year and it was on and off the website a lot whilst I was thinking about my purchase. For what it is worth Dell appear to be selling them again on their UK page…

]]> By: Ben http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-934 Ben Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:07:45 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-934 In my opinion, the crime here is the domination of Windows. Dell have no right to assume that you will use either Windows, or any other operating system, on their computer. You should, by law, be offered hardware at the right price. Operating systems should be made available as an additional extra - and it would be quite reasonable for Dell to recommend only Vista if they like - but I think it's about time the powers that be start to rectify the situation. I want to buy hardware - with or without an OS (though I'm sure Dell made a nice job of putting Ubuntu on there and making it work nicely than I could - I don't expect this). It should be made illegal for the 'default' to be Windows, including the main function key on the keyboard - there's no reason they can't put a square on there or a nice little Dell logo is there? This is a huge issue, and seems to show that Dell just don't really care about anyone in particular - it's not about making money (surely they'd get the same profit if I bought a blank machine? or are they taking backhanders from Microsoft - selling the OS at a profit - they can always add that amount to the basic cost of an empty machine!) In my opinion, the crime here is the domination of Windows.

Dell have no right to assume that you will use either Windows, or any other operating system, on their computer.

You should, by law, be offered hardware at the right price. Operating systems should be made available as an additional extra – and it would be quite reasonable for Dell to recommend only Vista if they like – but I think it’s about time the powers that be start to rectify the situation.

I want to buy hardware – with or without an OS (though I’m sure Dell made a nice job of putting Ubuntu on there and making it work nicely than I could – I don’t expect this).

It should be made illegal for the ‘default’ to be Windows, including the main function key on the keyboard – there’s no reason they can’t put a square on there or a nice little Dell logo is there?

This is a huge issue, and seems to show that Dell just don’t really care about anyone in particular – it’s not about making money (surely they’d get the same profit if I bought a blank machine? or are they taking backhanders from Microsoft – selling the OS at a profit – they can always add that amount to the basic cost of an empty machine!)

]]> By: Dan http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-933 Dan Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:12:06 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-933 @Epicanis I have been wondering if it sends a clearer signal to buy a Windows machine and then claim a refund publicly documenting it, I've always been worried that it wouldn't work and I'd be stuck paying for Windows though. Many people have claimed refunds and documented how they did it well before me I know that. I'm sure if enough people did then companies would get the message @Epicanis I have been wondering if it sends a clearer signal to buy a Windows machine and then claim a refund publicly documenting it, I’ve always been worried that it wouldn’t work and I’d be stuck paying for Windows though. Many people have claimed refunds and documented how they did it well before me I know that. I’m sure if enough people did then companies would get the message

]]> By: Dan http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-932 Dan Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:05:53 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-932 @eagle Yes I take your point, that's why I asked whether the demand was too low in the UK specifically, I want to know. I can tell you though that I bought this machine at the start of 2008, I actually started the order process on 28th December 2007. That was before Dell officially started selling Ubuntu machines in the UK, I was right there att he head of the queue so I'm not sure what you mean by "If it took even you this long to part with a couple of hundred to get an Ubuntu computer"? My previous computer was a desktop I built from components and the last computer actually I bought with Windows on it was in 2003. I think you're probably right that Ubuntu machines aren't selling as well in the UK as the US which and I really don't understand it. Like I said in the article if they're not selling then I can accept the business reasons for removing them from sale. To answer your query I know 2 or 3 other people from my local LUG that bought Dell Linux machines. If we go wider than just people living in my area I know at least a dozen or more. I know this isn't a fair representation of the larger general population as these people are Linux fans and not your average guy in the street. Maybe this isn't enough to justify selling then, all I'm saying is I'd like to know. Just wanted to answer you queries though and set that straight. Thanks for the comment :) @eagle Yes I take your point, that’s why I asked whether the demand was too low in the UK specifically, I want to know. I can tell you though that I bought this machine at the start of 2008, I actually started the order process on 28th December 2007. That was before Dell officially started selling Ubuntu machines in the UK, I was right there att he head of the queue so I’m not sure what you mean by “If it took even you this long to part with a couple of hundred to get an Ubuntu computer”? My previous computer was a desktop I built from components and the last computer actually I bought with Windows on it was in 2003. I think you’re probably right that Ubuntu machines aren’t selling as well in the UK as the US which and I really don’t understand it. Like I said in the article if they’re not selling then I can accept the business reasons for removing them from sale. To answer your query I know 2 or 3 other people from my local LUG that bought Dell Linux machines. If we go wider than just people living in my area I know at least a dozen or more. I know this isn’t a fair representation of the larger general population as these people are Linux fans and not your average guy in the street. Maybe this isn’t enough to justify selling then, all I’m saying is I’d like to know. Just wanted to answer you queries though and set that straight. Thanks for the comment :)

]]> By: Epicanis http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-931 Epicanis Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:18:33 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-931 I had seen some stories posted online speculating that the low proportion of netbook sales with Linux lately has a lot to do with how difficult it is to <em>find</em> them these days. I keep wondering if it'd be worth encouraging people to go ahead and buy the "Windows®" version if the Linux one isn't available and then seek out the EULA-refusal refund. If enough people pester Dell et al for Windows® refunds for their Linux netbooks/laptops/etc. that they couldn't get preinstalled, maybe they'll take the hint. If nothing else, having to pay their employees to spend time processing the complaints and refund demands might counter whatever magic discount Microsoft offered them to drop Linux versions... I had seen some stories posted online speculating that the low proportion of netbook sales with Linux lately has a lot to do with how difficult it is to find them these days.

I keep wondering if it’d be worth encouraging people to go ahead and buy the “Windows®” version if the Linux one isn’t available and then seek out the EULA-refusal refund.

If enough people pester Dell et al for Windows® refunds for their Linux netbooks/laptops/etc. that they couldn’t get preinstalled, maybe they’ll take the hint. If nothing else, having to pay their employees to spend time processing the complaints and refund demands might counter whatever magic discount Microsoft offered them to drop Linux versions…

]]> By: eagle http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-929 eagle Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:20:36 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-929 Maybe Dell is just giving the UK what you want. How many people do you know who have purchased Dell desktop or notebook computers? Have even the people in your local linux user group purchased any? From what I have heard, the UK is having a tough time letting go of their Microsoft desktop solutions. Strange, since Ubuntu is the local boy. Once you get more people saying, "I just put my money where my mouth was and bought one," then you'll see companies take it more seriously. If it took even you this long to part with a couple hundred to get an Ubuntu computer, then why should they make it any more available for your neighbors? In contrast, Linux netbooks and Dell Ubuntu notebooks are selling very well in the U.S.A. Maybe Dell is just giving the UK what you want. How many people do you know who have purchased Dell desktop or notebook computers? Have even the people in your local linux user group purchased any? From what I have heard, the UK is having a tough time letting go of their Microsoft desktop solutions. Strange, since Ubuntu is the local boy.

Once you get more people saying, “I just put my money where my mouth was and bought one,” then you’ll see companies take it more seriously. If it took even you this long to part with a couple hundred to get an Ubuntu computer, then why should they make it any more available for your neighbors?

In contrast, Linux netbooks and Dell Ubuntu notebooks are selling very well in the U.S.A.

]]> By: Dan http://danlynch.org/blog/2009/02/whats-up-dell/comment-page-1/#comment-922 Dan Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:48:47 +0000 http://danlynch.org/blog/?p=272#comment-922 Thanks for the comment Bobby, inspirational words I would say. I do wonder if perhaps buying the Vista machine and making a big public point of rejecting the EULA and claiming a refund would be more effective in sending a message. I might end up doing that with my next purchase. I hope this laptop will last me another year though :) Thanks for the comment Bobby, inspirational words I would say. I do wonder if perhaps buying the Vista machine and making a big public point of rejecting the EULA and claiming a refund would be more effective in sending a message. I might end up doing that with my next purchase. I hope this laptop will last me another year though :)

]]>